South Pasadena Community Services, South Pasadena Public Library, and The Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library are proud to offer a free, fun, and inspirational event. A Rededication and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for the historic, newly-refurbished War Memorial Auditorium will be presented on Thursday, November 8, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. (Please note: This is a venue change).The entire community is invited and no tickets or reservations are necessary. Community Services and Library staff have spent many hours sifting through and organizing artifacts and other items that had been stored in the War Memorial’s Legion Room and basement for decades. The War Memorial Auditorium is located 435 Fair Oaks Avenue in South Pasadena.

Showcased during the event will be a speaking appearance by Peter Collier, nationally acclaimed author probably most known for his bestselling biographies about the ‘Great American Families’. His widely acclaimed books include The Rockefellers: An American Dynasty, The Roosevelts: An American Saga, The Fords: An American Epic, The Kennedys: An American Drama, and The Fondas: A Hollywood Dynasty. His most recent book is Medal of Honor: Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty. The Medal of Honor, established during the Civil War, is America’s highest award for military heroism at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.

The author’s presentation will focus on his research for his latest book, when he traveled the country interviewing almost all of the living Medal of Honor recipients. Medal of Honor features three special introductions by none other than President George H.W. Bush, Senator John McCain, and Tom Brokaw. The searing text profiles the incredible acts of selfless bravery performed in the most threatening of battleground circumstances. Collier authored the book as his donation to veterans’ organizations so it’s only fitting that the program is conducted so close to Veterans Day. The book also features the compelling portraits of award-winning photographer Nick Del Calzo. Also featured will be a brief yet stirring documentary film on the Medal of Honor.

Opening the program will be Domingo Samudio, known the world over as Sam the Sham. Together with his 60s band The Pharaohs, he recorded the unforgettable rock classics “Wooly Bully” and “Little Red Riding Hood.” Sam is a humanitarian as well as a Navy veteran who enlisted at 17 years-old, and was honorably discharged in 1959. He won’t be performing his music, but will instead be reading a poem he recently wrote as a tribute to veterans who have “tasted combat” for the betterment of us all. Sam will also be presenting a plaque to be hung in the South Pasadena War Memorial upon its completion.